2020-10-14
BRAKEN - The Belgian town of Braken, on the Dutch border, is home to 1.2 million chickens. They divide the town: residents are tired of the smell, the fine dust and the heavy traffic in their village. To objectify the discussion, the local government ordered an air quality study.
Nitrogen levels are particularly high in the village and almost everywhere they exceed the capacity of the municipality, according to the scientists. Combined with the odour nuisance, they conclude that it is very difficult to build additional stables. Their solution: better housing systems and a reduction in the number of animals.
The excesses in Braken are a symbol of where industrial farming without land leads. Ammonia emissions affects nature and the health of people in the wider region. If anything is moving, wether in politics or science, it is clearly under pressure from citizens.
Apache travelled around the hamlet of Braken, talking to residents and farmers, civil servants, politicians and scientists. The research report was cast into a multimedia longread, with five background pieces linked to it.
Photo: © Berber Verpoest
Supported
€3,525 allocated on 20/03/2020ID
FPD/2020/1724Grant
ONLINE (in Dutch)
- Kempense kippenbonanza botst op grenzen, Apache, 14/10/2020.
- De omerta rond de kippenhinder, Apache, 14/10/2020.
- Stikstof: de onzichtbare vijand voor mens en milieu, Apache 14/10/2020.
- Wetenschappers bevestigen geurhinder in Noorderkempen, Apache, 14/10/2020.
- De explosieve groei van kippenstallen in Wuustwezel, Apache, 14/10/2020.
- De kip legt gouden eieren in Vlaanderen, Apache.be, 14/10/2020.
need resources for your own investigative story?
Journalismfund Europe's flexible grants programmes enable journalists to produce relevant public interest stories with a European mind-set from international, national, and regional perspectives.
support independent cross-border investigative journalism
We rely on your support to continue the work that we do. Make a gift of any amount today.
